If you’re a millennial, chances are you had opinions when Lean In came out — Sheryl Sandberg’s rallying cry for women to climb the corporate ladder. Twelve years later, you might be wishing you had a career to lean into. Instead, layoffs are everywhere — and the current job climate feels especially harsh for women.
Since January, nearly half a million women have left the workforce, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And that was before last week’s wave of corporate layoffs hit major brands.
Some are leaving by choice — but that “choice” often means picking between bad and worse. Flexibility is shrinking, return-to-office mandates are growing, and child care (already a second mortgage) has only gotten harder to find. The fallout isn’t evenly distributed, either: The unemployment rate for Black women has jumped faster than for other groups, due in part to earlier federal layoffs (Black women make up a significant share of the federal workforce) and the corporate retreat from DEI initiatives.
And even if you’ve managed to hang onto your job, you’re probably feeling what economist Corinne Low calls “the squeeze” — the pressure of trying to do it all when both work and home demand more than ever. That often means saying no to “deep work” just to keep up with everything else swirling around you. (Sound familiar?)
What You Can Do:
Redefine ambition. You don’t need to choose between being a tradwife or a CEO. Figure out what you want in this phase of life. That might be hopping across the “career lily pad” instead of climbing the corporate ladder.
Negotiate flexibility like it’s compensation. Because it is. Time is often the most valuable perk. Just beware of “microshifting.”
Build community capital. Women’s networks, group chats, and professional associations are more than moral support. They’re job leads, sanity checks, and leverage. (Psst: Over at Skimm+, we’re building the tools you need to get ahead on your terms. From a script asking your manager for flexibility or databases of how companies stack up in terms of leave, get the resources that can help you succeed here.)
— Anna "Ambition, But With a 401(k), Health Insurance, and Reasonable Expectations" Davies, writer
The Fed just cut interest rates for the second time this year, and the reasoning is complicated. Usually, a rate cut means the Fed’s trying to juice the economy when things are slowing down. But right now, the economy’s giving mixed signals: Inflation’s cooled somewhat, job growth has slowed, and yet prices still feel high every time you buy groceries. These are signs we could be entering “stagflation” territory, which is what policy experts want the economy to avoid. That’s why this cut isn’t your classic “yay, things are cheap again” moment. It’s more like the Fed is recognizing the cracks in the economy, and is trying to do a DIY repair before things get worse.
Here’s what the cut may mean for your money:
House hunting? You might get a lower rate. Mortgage and car loan rates could tick down. But we emphasize: slightly.
Don’t get weird with your 401(k) Some investors see it as a vote of confidence; others see it as a warning sign. Your best bet is to stick to your long-term plan, rebalance if needed, and don’t try to outsmart the headlines.
Money Talk
The Money Q You Actually Need To Ask
The next time you’re talking to your partner — or even a close friend — ask: “When was the first time you learned what money was?” Then ask yourself, too. The answers can reveal a lot about how money shapes you, and why you spend or save the way you do.
That's just one of the tips from Money Together by Douglas and Heather Boneparth. He’s a CFP, she’s an attorney, and together they’ve unpacked their own money “stuff” … and share how doing the same can bolster both your finances and your relationships. Think psychology, not spreadsheets, for a new way to approach your finances.
And, on that note ...
When was the last time you and your partner talked about money?
Slow cookers are the MVPs of cozy season. Once you’ve got a few go-to recipes, they’re hard to beat — even compared to whatever’s getting delivered to your door. Here are a few that earn their counter space:
The classic your grandma probably swore by. It has three simple settings — low, high, and warm (for when dinner’s sitting out). Dishwasher safe and big enough to feed three or more.
Quick refresher: A slow cooker runs on electricity; a Dutch oven sits on a heat source. This two-in-one lets you do both — the removable Dutch oven goes on the stove or in the oven, while the base offers multiple slow-cooker settings.
A cookie recipe and zero panic purchases. Join Skimm+’s first-ever live cooking demo with bestselling cookbook author Dan Pelosi (@GrossyPelosi) and learn how to make a budget-friendly treat that also makes a thoughtful gift. Bonus: 70 people who RSVP will get a copy of his new cookbook, Let’s Party, for free.
